The US version ofTheBachelorette has just announced Rachel Lindsay will star as the leading lady of the upcoming 13th Season.

Lindsay, 31, who appeared onThe US Bachelor‘s most recent season, was always considered a fan favourite despite not ultimately winning her suitor’s heart.

Listen to Laura Brodnik and Tiffany Dunk explain why The Bachelorette announcement has changed TV on The Binge. Post continues.

News of Lindsay’s pick has flooded social media with praise for the series as it marks the first time an African American person has been chosen for the leading role.

Lindsay, who is a lawyer from Dallas, Texas, told Good Morning America she was comfortable with making history as the first African American chosen to lead.

“I don’t feel added pressure. I’m honored to have this opportunity and to represent myself as an African American woman,” she said.

This week’s television podcast discussed how choosing Lindsay broke away from the franchise’s very white history.

“After 15 very long years,The Bachelorettehas finally given us a diverse leading lady,” she said.

Host Tiffany spoke about how the lawyer came across during her time inThe Bachelorseason.

“It’s Rachel Lindsay and she’s going to be fantastic on the show. I think she’s going to bring so much to the franchise because she’s so much more than just her race or her skin colour,” she said.

“She’s smart, she’s funny and she’s not afraid to call a spade a spade.”

Rachel Lindsay during her appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live. (Source: ABC/YouTube.)

Tiffany brought up how the story of a black suitor played out on the satirical dating show dramaUnreal.

"You always think ofUnREALwhen you thinkThe BachelororThe Bacheloretteand I can't help but think of how they set up their second season with the first ever blackBacheloror what was it... the 'Everlasting Suitor'," she said.

UnREAL is another US television drama that takes the viewer 'behind-the-scenes' of what happens during dating shows likeThe Bachelor.

The "Everlasting Suitor" in UnREAL. (Source: Lifetime)

Laura commented on how the use of an African American leading man was seen as a point of ongoing conflict within the series.

"Behind-the-scenes onUnREAL,it was seen as a huge gamble... and sadly, it's probably the same thing in real life on the realBachelor," Laura said.

Despite watching the "doomsday" version play out onUnREAL, Tiffany believed Lindsay possessed all the makings of the perfect host.

"She's got all the qualities a goodBachelorettehas, in that she doesn't take herself too seriously, she's very relatable and she's aspirational as well," Tiffany said.

You can watch the current season of The US Bachelor on Channel Nine's online portal Nine Now here.

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